Good morning, Portage County. Mother Nature seems determined to make this New Year's celebration one for the history books. With temperatures swinging from a spring-like 63 degrees to below freezing, and winds strong enough to send your party decorations to the next county, we're in for a wild weather ride that puts new meaning into "blowing away 2024."
Meanwhile, local drama is brewing on multiple fronts. Duck Donuts' sudden exit from Summit Mall has left a sweet-tooth-sized hole in Akron's retail landscape, while a troubling controversy surrounding Akron Public Schools' superintendent has the community buzzing for all the wrong reasons. At least we can take comfort in knowing that whatever 2025 brings, it's sure to be more stable than today's forecast.
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80% ☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🌪️ Wild winds and storms threaten New Year's celebrations in Akron, Ohio. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory through early Monday morning, warning of potential power outages and dangerous driving conditions. Sunday's unseasonably warm temperatures near 63 degrees will plummet as a strong cold front moves through, bringing a risk of severe storms and possible tornadoes between 2 and 7 p.m. New Year's Eve revelers should prepare for temperatures around freezing, with rain turning to snow after 2 a.m. The first day of 2025 will usher in true winter weather, with highs only reaching 35 degrees and temperatures expected to remain in the 20s throughout the week.
🍩 Popular donut chain abruptly exits Akron's Summit Mall. The franchise owner of Duck Donuts made the difficult decision to permanently close the location around the holiday season, leaving local donut enthusiasts with fewer options. The closure comes after previous challenges, including a temporary shutdown in 2021 due to staffing shortages. The nearest Duck Donuts locations are now significantly farther away, with stores in Pittsburgh and Columbus. The Pennsylvania-based chain hasn't indicated whether they plan to open another location in the Greater Akron area.
😤 School superintendent allegedly calls female reporters 'hos' in closed meeting. The head of Akron Public Schools, Michael Robinson, is under investigation following serious allegations detailed in a letter from a former communications director. The letter describes multiple incidents of hostile behavior, including Robinson using the derogatory slur during a January meeting with administrators present. Former Communications Director Mark Williamson also documented patterns of aggressive behavior, including public berating of staff members and incidents where employees left meetings in tears. The controversy adds to existing concerns about Robinson's leadership, including allegations of bullying a board member and questionable email practices.
🏒 Hockey Scoreboard
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Aurora Greenmen | ||
| vs Avon | L 7-2 | |
| @ CVCA | L 7-0 | |
 Roosevelt Rough Riders | ||
| vs Kenston** | W 6-0 |
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Ravenna Ravens | ||
| vs Cardinal | W 58-53 | |
| Aurora Greenmen | ||
| @ Streetsboro | L 48-42 | |
 Tallmadge Blue Devils | ||
| vs Woodridge | W 83-51 | |
 Crestwood Red Devils | ||
| @ LaBrae | W 67-47 | |
 Garfield G-Men | ||
| @ Rootstown | W 65-41 | |
| @ Waterloo | W 78-32 | |
 Rootstown Rovers | ||
| vs Garfield | L 65-41 | |
| @ Southeast | L 57-55 | |
 Southeast Pirates | ||
| vs Rootstown | W 57-55 | |
 Waterloo Vikings | ||
| vs McDonald | L 63-27 | |
| vs Garfield | L 78-32 | |
 Windham Bombers | ||
| vs Bristol | L 79-44 | |
 Streetsboro Rockets | ||
| vs Kenston | W 50-41 | |
| vs Aurora | W 48-42 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Custom home opportunity awaits you
A custom home building opportunity awaits at a list price of $282,550 for a to-be-built home on your land, with Wayne Homes offering tailored designs across Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia. With over 40 years of expertise, they guide customers through the home construction process, providing a range of designs from 1,200 to over 3,600 square feet, and ensuring a high-quality, energy-efficient residence that meets personal needs.
Opportunity awaits at great price
This property is listed at $259,900. While the details are sparse, it presents an opportunity for buyers looking to make their mark in the real estate market.
Cozy ranch with modern upgrades
Located at 9275 June Drive in Streetsboro, this charming ranch home is perfect for those looking to settle in quickly, featuring 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and an inviting eat-in kitchen with updated flooring. It boasts a cozy 3-seasons porch, a two-car garage, and recent upgrades including a new furnace and hot water heater, all for a list price of $200,000.
🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🙏 In Remembrance
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🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
-Galatians 6:9